Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Kaplan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I left the corporate world over a decade ago to follow my passion and opened my first Pilates studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Being a lifelong skier, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to move to Vail eight years ago. I taught Pilates, spin and fitness at several gyms and studios before co-founding Vail Pilates. I always felt that something was missing in the Vail Valley – a fun, motivating and inspiring place to indoor cycle like the studios I had grown to love while living in big cities like San Francisco, New York and San Diego. I decided to fix that, and so came PeloDog.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The seasonality of owning an indoor cycling program has been challenging, as there has been little predictability in terms of class time demands. I originally thought early morning classes would be packed, but that’s not the case. It’s like putting together an ever-changing puzzle, but I’m getting better at it.
The obvious challenge has been COVID. I chose to close my studio before it was state-mandated. That was one of the harder professional decisions I’ve ever had to make. The past six months have been a whirlwind of pivoting. During lockdown, it was renting my bikes, figuring out virtual programming, keeping the studio community moving and connected. Coming out of lockdown, it was creating a COVID-safe studio environment, coordinating outdoor classes (so fortunate to have space to do that), and so on. Now, it’s anticipating what the winter has in store in terms of demand and safety. But, somehow I’ve managed to find a flow through all of it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about PeloDog Indoor Cycling – what should we know?
At PeloDog, it’s all about balance – a workout that is intense and performance-based, yet fun, set to awesome music, and accessible to all riders; a space that is high-end and state-of-the-art, yet unpretentious; a community that is focused and results-driven, yet inclusive and welcoming; an environment where you can completely unplug, yet at the same time totally connect.
Simply put, PeloDog is where you want to be – your happy place to sweat, play, be fit, and be inspired.
Our goal is simple – to offer strength-building, calorie-burning and fun workouts in a space that is welcoming and non-intimidating to everybody that joins us.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My dad has been my biggest mentor through the entire process of opening PeloDog. He was my first supported when I decided to leave law practice and following my fitness dreams. He helped me create my business plan, mission statement, pursue and receive funding to build the studio, pick paint colors and so much more. Sadly my dad passed away two months before the studio opened his doors, but I know he’s looking down on me every day. I am eternally grateful for my loyal and extremely talented team of instructors, the PeloDog community of riders who bring endless positive vibes into the studio, my mom and my dear friends who have never-ending patience to listen and support.
Pricing:
- Pricing ranges from $139 for an unlimited membership to $30 for a single class.
Contact Info:
- Address: 101 Fawcett Road, Suite 145
- Website: www.pelodog.com
- Phone: 917-414-9342
- Email: jen@pelodog.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pelodogvail
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pelodog
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pelodog-indoor-cycling-avon
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